As a teenager, Slug (Sean Daley) became entranced with hip-hop, graffiti, and breakdancing, forming the Rhymesayers label and collective (originally known as Headshots) with two high-school friends, Siddiq Ali (Stress) and Derek Turner (Spawn). After some early gigs as Urban Atmosphere -- where Slug DJed behind Spawn's rhyming -- the pair hooked up with producer Ant (Anthony Davis), as well as like-minded locals such as MC Musab, Mr. Gene Poole, and the Abstract Pack, forming an underground hip-hop clique dedicated to freestyling and clever lyricism. In 1997, Atmosphere released their debut album, Overcast!, which received college radio airplay and earned an underground hip-hop following thanks to Slug's deeply personal, poetic musings, as well as Ant's bare-bones -- but inventive -- production.
Atmosphere participated in the supergroup the Dynospectrum (who released a self-titled album on Rhymesayers in 1998) and Slug contributed to another supergroup, Anticon's Deep Puddle Dynamics (whose full-length The Taste of Rain...Why Kneel appeared in 1999). The Headshots collective concluded their series of underground cassettes with a seventh volume in 1999, later reissued as an Atmosphere release called Headshots: Se7en. The group also began a series of limited releases (often sold exclusively on tour) titled Sad Clown Bad Dub, beginning with an extremely scarce 1999 cassette.
A year later, Atmosphere (then down to the duo of Slug and Ant) released the Ford One and Ford Two EPs, followed by the Lucy EP in 2001. Collected as the 2001 full-length Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs, the three EPs were built around the theme of Slug's complicated relationship with his ex-girlfriend, the lost love of his life. As Atmosphere's following increased beyond underground hip-hop circles, they toured consistently, both at home and overseas; while Ant usually didn't accompany the group on the road, Mr. Dibbs of the group 1200 Hobos often joined in behind the turntables while Slug was assisted on the mike by young rappers like the teenaged Eyedea. In June 2002, Atmosphere unleashed God Loves Ugly, an 18-track effort that returned to previous themes ("F*@k You Lucy"), but also contained the group's pop-friendly single "Modern Man's Hustle," which reached the Top 20 of the U.S. rap singles chart.
By this time indie rap superstars, Atmosphere returned with their fourth album, Seven's Travels, in 2003, followed two years later by You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Following the record's success, Ant began regularly touring with the group. They continued to put music out during the next couple of years, including the free download Strictly Leakage in late 2007, a near-party album that they followed up with When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold in April 2008. The record featured plenty of live instrumentation and guest background vocal spots from Tom Waits and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe; it was also their highest-charting album, hitting number five on the Billboard 200. The "double EP" To All My Friends: Blood Makes the Blade Holy appeared in 2010, with the full-length album The Family Sign following in 2011.
In 2014, the group released the album Southsiders, which featured the single "Bitter" and became another Top Ten-charting hit. The following year, Atmosphere celebrated the ten-year anniversary of You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having by reissuing the album as a four-LP set (including instrumental versions of all the album's songs), in addition to The Fun EP, a picture-disc vinyl issue of an EP of You Can't Imagine outtakes that was originally released as a promo CD in 2006. In 2016, they returned with Fishing Blues, an album that featured the single "Ringo" along with guest appearances from MF Doom, Kool Keith, and Aesop Rock. While the set peaked just outside the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, it became their second album to top the U.S. indie chart. Mi Vida Local, an urgent reflection on middle age, appeared in 2018, followed a year later by the full-length Whenever. The Day Before Halloween arrived on that exact date in 2020, with Atmosphere unexpectedly switching to sci-fi/horror-informed themes over spooky, synth-heavy backdrops. Nearly a year later, Ant and Slug swerved back to their signature sound with Word?, which included guests such as Evidence, Aesop Rock, Sa-Roc, and MF Doom.
Biography by Dan LeRoy
There are other artists with the same name:
2) A Polish rock group, established in 1993 in Leszno, Poland, with Marcin Rozynek as a vocalist. In 1994 the group appeared at Mokotowska Jesień Muzyczna, where they were runners-up just behind Myslovitz. Two years later they won competition Marlboro Rock In. In 1997, Atmosphere released their self-titled debut album, Atmosphere, and in 1999 released Europa Naftowa. Atmosphere was awarded the Album debut of the year 1997 by magazine Tylko Rock and was nominated for the award Fryderyk in 1998 in the category Debut of the Year. In 1998, Atmosphere appeared at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole with song Niewielki Skrawek Ziemi. Disbanded after Marcin Rozynek departure for a solo career. However, Atmosphere regrouped recently with a new line-up and is recording a new album.
3) An obscure one hit wonder Italo-disco group of the early 80’s. The group was produced by Franco & Venise Scopinich, and their one single “Swede’s Scandal” was realased on Superradio Reccords (label owned by Franco & Venise Scopinich).
4) A thrash metal band of the same name from Vietnam who have released two demo's.
Romance
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the reason that you hold hands
And even though there's no chance
You'll wish that we could slow dance
And this is for the romance
It's the reason that you hold hands
And even though there's no chance
I like what she had to say
She said
"We still haven't liberated Mumia"
She said
"The name of the strain was Eureka"
She synced up the Bluetooth to play Aaliyah
I made myself a drink
Tastes like pruno sangria
Nice to meet ya, knock on wood
I said, "I'm sorry
That my English is not so good" she said
"It sounds like you're
Fishin' for compassion"
I said, "You're dressed like an assassin"
And it's true, though
She kinda looked like Trinity
It's kinda cool, though, reminds me of Italy
The only time I've ever been
There was a short layover
In Rome, didn't even leave the airport
And that ain't even the important part
But somethin' started warmin' up
Her broken heart
And I ain't tryna send any faulty signals
Went to the bathroom, climbed out the window
And this is for the romance
It's the reason that you hold hands
And even though there's no chance
You'll wish that we could slow dance
And this is for the romance
It's the reason that you hold hands
And even though there's no chance
I got you wishin' we could slow dance
Ay, pretty mama, are your kids at school?
You and I should go and find a swimmin' pool
Better if it comes with a hotel room
That'll let us check in before noon (Aight)
Too many memories to fit into a shoe box
The cops caught a bad tip
And raided the rooftop
She opened up a roll of
Quarters into a tube sock
All of y'all are poseurs
Go and kick some moon rocks
I might be the droid that they lookin' for
Or I might be the boy you mistook me for
I might float across the ocean
On a horse back
Just to get closer to your outdated format
I might be the gecko from Geico
Got the white women celebratin'
Cinco de Mayo
They finished off a whole fifth of mayo
I grabbed the queso, flew away like an angel
And this is for the romance
It's the reason that you hold hands
And even though there's no chance
You'll wish that we could slow dance
And this is for the romance
It's the reason that you hold hands
And even though there's no chance
I got you wishin' we could slow dance
Ay, pretty mama
The lyrics to Atmosphere's song "Romance" delve into the theme of longing for love and connection, even in seemingly impossible situations. The song starts off by emphasizing the significance of romance, describing it as the reason why people hold hands and yearn for slow dances. Despite recognizing that there may be no chance for the desired romantic connection, there is still a longing for it.
In the next verse, the lyrics take a shift towards a conversation between the singer and a woman. The woman brings up social and political issues, mentioning the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a political activist and former member of the Black Panthers who was convicted of murdering a police officer. She also references a strain of marijuana called Eureka and plays Aaliyah's music through Bluetooth. The scene portrays a connection between the singer and the woman, as he describes making himself a drink that tastes like pruno sangria.
The conversation continues with the singer expressing his apology for his poor English, to which the woman interprets it as him seeking compassion. She responds by saying that he looks like he's dressed as an assassin, comparing his appearance to Trinity from the movie "The Matrix," which reminds him of Italy. The singer then shares a personal experience of a layover in Rome and how it didn't compare to the significance of the connection he feels with the woman. The song ends with the singer contemplating his feelings for her and the potential for a romantic relationship, symbolized by the act of climbing out of a window.
Overall, "Romance" explores the longing for love and connection, even in unlikely circumstances. It touches upon themes of politics, cultural references, language barriers, and the desire for intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
And this is for the romance
This song is dedicated to the idea of romance and all that it represents
It's the reason that you hold hands
Romance is what motivates people to hold hands as a gesture of affection and connection
And even though there's no chance
Despite the circumstances or obstacles, there is still a desire for romantic experiences
You'll wish that we could slow dance
There is a longing to share intimate moments, like slow dancing, with the object of affection
I like what she had to say
The artist is intrigued by the opinions and thoughts of the person they are interacting with
She said
The person being referred to shared the following statements
"We still haven't liberated Mumia"
She expressed her concern about the ongoing lack of freedom for Mumia, emphasizing the need for change
"The name of the strain was Eureka"
She mentioned the strain of a substance, possibly marijuana, and its name being 'Eureka'
She synced up the Bluetooth to play Aaliyah
She connected a Bluetooth device to play music by Aaliyah, showing her preference for that artist
I made myself a drink
The artist prepared a beverage for themselves
Tastes like pruno sangria
The drink has a flavor resembling pruno sangria, a homemade alcoholic beverage
Nice to meet ya, knock on wood
The artist expresses pleasure in meeting the person and lightly taps on wood for good luck
I said, "I'm sorry
The singer apologizes for not being proficient in English
That my English is not so good" she said
The person responds by acknowledging the singer's struggle with English
"It sounds like you're
She implies that the singer is attempting to gain sympathy or understanding
Fishin' for compassion"
She suggests that the artist may be seeking compassion or empathy through their words
I said, "You're dressed like an assassin"
The artist comments on the person's appearance, comparing it to that of an assassin
And it's true, though
The singer agrees that their statement is accurate
She kinda looked like Trinity
The person's appearance bears resemblance to the character Trinity from the movie 'The Matrix'
It's kinda cool, though, reminds me of Italy
The artist finds it interesting and reminiscent of Italy, having had a brief layover there once
The only time I've ever been
The artist states that their experience in Italy was the sole occasion of being there
There was a short layover
Their time in Italy was limited to a brief stop
In Rome, didn't even leave the airport
The singer did not have the opportunity to explore Rome and remained within the airport
And that ain't even the important part
The lack of exploration in Rome is not the essential aspect of the story being shared
But somethin' started warmin' up
However, something began to emotionally resonate
Her broken heart
The person's broken heart started to heal or feel comforted
And I ain't tryna send any faulty signals
The singer wants to avoid giving mixed or misleading signals
Went to the bathroom, climbed out the window
The artist discreetly left the situation by going to the bathroom and escaping through a window
Ay, pretty mama, are your kids at school?
The artist addresses the person as 'pretty mama' and inquires about the whereabouts of her children
You and I should go and find a swimmin' pool
The singer suggests going together to locate a swimming pool for leisure or relaxation
Better if it comes with a hotel room
It would be more preferable if the swimming pool is part of a hotel room
That'll let us check in before noon (Aight)
Ideally, the hotel would allow them to check in early, before noon
Too many memories to fit into a shoe box
There are numerous memories and experiences that cannot be contained in a small box
The cops caught a bad tip
Law enforcement received inaccurate information, leading to an unnecessary intervention
And raided the rooftop
The police conducted a search or operation on the rooftop, likely due to the tip
She opened up a roll of
The person started to unravel or unwrap a roll of
Quarters into a tube sock
The roll contained quarters, which were then placed inside a tube sock
All of y'all are poseurs
The singer believes that everyone present is pretending or acting in some way
Go and kick some moon rocks
The singer sarcastically suggests that everyone should go and kick moon rocks, a pointless or absurd action
I might be the droid that they lookin' for
The artist humorously suggests they could be the sought-after 'droid' that others are searching for
Or I might be the boy you mistook me for
Alternatively, the artist could be the boy that someone mistakenly identified them as
I might float across the ocean
As a hypothetical scenario, the singer could traverse the ocean by floating
On a horse back
The singer humorously envisions riding a horse while floating across the ocean
Just to get closer to your outdated format
The artist would go to great lengths to be near the person, overcoming any obstacles or differences
I might be the gecko from Geico
Continuing the humorous tone, the artist jokingly states they could be the gecko mascot from the insurance company Geico
Got the white women celebratin'
The artist suggests that their presence is enjoyable to white women, resulting in celebration or excitement
Cinco de Mayo
The singer references the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, which typically involves celebrations and festivities
They finished off a whole fifth of mayo
The white women consumed an entire bottle or fifth of mayonnaise, possibly as a humorous exaggeration
I grabbed the queso, flew away like an angel
The singer took the opportunity to take the queso, a type of cheese, and swiftly left the situation, comparing their departure to that of an angel
Ay, pretty mama
The singer once again addresses the person as 'pretty mama'
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind